Health Notes:
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A look at the latest medical studies and trends
Antiseptic bath could curb infections for surgery patients
Patients may not be aware they can bring their own germs in their nose and on their skin when they go to the hospital for surgery, which can lead to infections. To try to combat these dangerous infections, a new method is being tested - an antiseptic bath and squirting medicated ointment in the nose. Two new studies, published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, tried different approaches to killing the bacteria to see if it reduced post-surgery infection rates.
Two studies use differing methods for treating, diagnosing Alzheimer's
A new treatment being developed features a nutritional drink to help restore the brain's synapses. Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say the three components in the drink - uridine, choline, and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA - work together to help restore synapses. Another study, done in Rome and published in the journal Neurology, shows that a type of MRI, called diffusion sensor imaging, may pick up early signs of Alzheimer's in healthy elderly individuals, allowing for early intervention and preventive treatments.
Devices track exercise, eating habits
Scientists at the University of Southern California are developing wireless sensors for people to wear that can track how long they work out and what they eat to create a more honest picture for doctors and feedback for wearers. In tests the sensors record heart rate, stress levels and physical activity, sending the information to a cell phone.